Vehicle entertainment system

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for a vehicle entertainment system are provided. One method includes generating by a processor, a plurality of media sets for storing a plurality of media files at a transportation vehicle, each of the plurality of media set configured to store a first set of media files playable at the same time by all passengers, a second set of media files playable at the same time by up to X percentage of the passengers and a third set of media files playable at the same time by up to Y percentage of the passengers; distributing by the processor, the plurality of media files for storage across a plurality of smart monitors of the transportation vehicle; monitoring user access of the plurality of media files on the transportation vehicle; and modifying by the processor, an assignment of a media file between the first set, the second set and the third set based on a plurality of factors.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is a continuation of co-pending patentapplication Ser. No. 16/003,995, filed on Jun. 8, 2018, entitled,“Vehicle Entertainment System”, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,728,587, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to vehicular entertainmentsystems, and in particular to virtual local storage (VLS) of anin-flight entertainment system.

BACKGROUND

Entertainment systems for vehicles used in commercial passengertransport are frequently server-based. Specifically, a server storescontent, e.g., media files, and provides the content via a network upondemand from client devices operated by users or passengers on thevehicle. Most often, the content is in the form of video and audio filesof a media library, which are streamed to the client devices over thenetwork. Accordingly, in conventional systems, the server is central tothe operation of the entertainment system. For this reason, server-basedsystems in the in-flight entertainment field (IFE) are sometimesreferred to as server-centric, or centralized AVOD Server System. Adisadvantage of server centric systems is that if the server becomesinaccessible, the content stored on the server likewise becomesinaccessible for passengers or users of the client devices. Anotherdisadvantage is the cost of a media server can be prohibitive.

Other types of IFE systems store content in client devices. Inparticular, IFE systems typically have client devices mounted at eachseat for use by passengers. These systems are sometimes referred to inthe IFE field as seat-centric, or distributed AVOD Server System.Seat-centric systems have an advantage in that they are not reliant on aserver. However, client devices have limited storage capacity forstoring content. Therefore, there is a need for increasing a medialibrary size by configuring storage media of client devices withouthaving to increase storage capacity or processor capability of theclient devices.

SUMMARY

In one aspect methods and systems for a vehicle entertainment system areprovided. One method includes generating by a processor, a plurality ofmedia sets for a media library to store a plurality of media files on atransportation vehicle, each of the plurality of media set configured tostore a first set of media files in which each media file of the firstset is playable at the same by all passengers, a second set of mediafiles in which each media file of the second set is playable at the sametime by up to X percentage of the passengers and a third set of mediafiles in which each media of the third set is playable at the same timeby up to Y percentage of the passengers; distributing by the processor,the plurality of media files for storage across a plurality of smartmonitors of the transportation vehicle; monitoring user access of theplurality of media files on the transportation vehicle; and modifying bythe processor, an assignment of a media file between the first set, thesecond set and the third set based on a plurality of factors.

In another aspect, a method is provided for use on an aircraft or othertypes of vehicles for commercial mass passenger transport. The methodincludes assigning a first portion of a media library having a pluralityof media files for an inflight entertainment system of an aircraft to afirst set of media files in which each media file of the set is playableat the same by all passengers of the transportation vehicle, and asecond portion to a second set of media files in which each media fileof the second set is playable at the same time by up to X percentage ofthe passengers; and storing the plurality of media files for storageacross a plurality of smart monitors of the aircraft using a pluralityof media sets, each media set having a plurality of media subsets. Theplurality of media files are streamed from the plurality of smartmonitors in response to user requests. The method further includesmonitoring access to the plurality of media files based on userrequests; and modifying an assignment of a media file between the firstset and the second set based on a plurality of factors including atleast two of an access pattern of the media file, aircraft routeinformation, airline preference, aircraft type and configuration, athird party rating of the media file, time of the year and an airlinepreference.

This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of thedisclosure may be understood quickly. A more complete understanding ofthe disclosure can be obtained by reference to the following detaileddescription of the various aspects thereof concerning the attacheddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features of the present disclosure will now be describedwith reference to the drawings of the various aspects disclosed herein.In the drawings, the same components may have the same referencenumerals. The illustrated aspects are intended to illustrate, but not tolimit the present disclosure. The drawings include the followingFigures:

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a vehicle entertainment system of atransportation vehicle, according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 1B illustrates a portion of an economy class section of a vehicleentertainment system;

FIG. 2A shows an example of a smart monitor, used according to oneaspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B shows an example of a virtual local storage (VLS) configurationtool, according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2C shows an example of a plurality of VLS media sets configuredaccording to one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2D shows an example of distributing media across a plurality ofsmart monitors, according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A shows a process flow for configuring VLS media sets, accordingto one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B shows a process flow for managing media files on atransportation vehicle, according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3C shows a process flow for configuring a media library, accordingto one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3D shows a process flow for configuring media files on an aircraft,according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of example software or program logic executed bythe smart monitors of FIG. 2D in responding to an input for a mediarequest from a user or passenger, according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of example software or program logic executed bythe smart monitors of FIG. 2D in responding to a request from anothersmart monitor for streaming media, according to one aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a computing system, according to oneaspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example of a content distribution systemfor a vehicle; and

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of example software or program logic executed bya smart monitor in determining from which source to play a media file.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary note, the terms “component”, “module”, “system”, andthe like as used herein are intended to refer to a computer-relatedentity, either software-executing general purpose processor, hardware,firmware or a combination thereof. For example, a component may be, butis not limited to being, a process running on a hardware processor, ahardware processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, aprogram, and/or a computer.

By way of illustration, both an application running on a computingdevice and the computing device itself can be a component. One or morecomponents may reside within a process and/or thread of execution, and acomponent may be localized on one computing device and/or distributedbetween two or more computing devices. Also, these components canexecute from various computer readable media having various datastructures stored thereon. The components may communicate via localand/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having oneor more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting withanother component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across acomputing network with other systems via the signal).

Computer executable components can be stored, for example, atnon-transitory, computer/machine readable media including, but notlimited to, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), CD(compact disc), DVD (digital video disk), ROM (read only memory), harddisk, EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory),solid state memory device or any other storage device, in accordancewith the claimed subject matter.

Described in the following paragraphs are various aspects of the presentdisclosure. The various aspects are implemented via a combination ofhardware and software that include computing or information processingequipment having one or more processors configured to execute programlogic or software stored on computer readable tangible, non-transitorystorage media, e.g., magnetic memory discs, RAM, ROM, flash memory orsolid state drives (SSDs). The program logic preferably configures theinformation processing equipment to provide the functionality asdescribed herein.

System 100:

FIG. 1A schematically illustrates a vehicle entertainment system 100disposed in a vehicle 102. The type of vehicle 102 is not limited andmay be any kind of vehicle for carrying passengers, for example, anaircraft, bus, train, boat, submarine or spaceship. In this example, thevehicle 102 includes two seat columns 104 and 106 arranged symmetricallyfrom one another across an aisle as typical in vehicles used forpassenger transport. Each column 104 and 106 includes seat rows 108through 122 extending generally orthogonally away from the aisle betweenthe columns. It should be appreciated that FIG. 1A is a schematicdrawing for explanatory purposes and passenger transport vehicles, suchas aircraft used for commercial passenger transport, which can havehundreds of seats and consequently many more columns and rows than thatillustrated in FIG. 1A.

The seat rows 108 through 122 may have different number of seatsdepending on the class of seating of 122 and 124. For example, seat rows108 through 112 nearer the front of the vehicle 102 may be premium classseating 122, such as business or first class and have larger seats 128and/or more spacing between the seats 128. Seat rows 114 through 122further back in the vehicle 102 may be economy class 126 and havesmaller seats 130 and/or less spacing between the seats. Often abulkhead, not shown, separates one class of seating 124 and 126 fromanother.

FIG. 1B schematically illustrates a portion or a vehicle having rows ofseats. As shown in FIG. 1B, the entertainment system for this vehicleincludes smart monitors 132 (SMs), sometimes also called media players,video monitors, video display units or seat devices (for clarity ofexplanation the smart monitors 132 are not shown in FIG. 1A). Typically,a smart monitor 132 is mounted to the back of each seat for viewing by apassenger or user in the seat immediately behind the seat to which thesmart monitor 132 is mounted. For a seat for which there is no seatforward thereof, the smart monitor 132 is frequently mounted to a bulkhead in front of the seat. Alternatively, such a smart monitor 132mounts to a seat arm 136 and is retractable into the seat arm when notin use. The adaptive aspects of the present disclosure are not limitedto any specific location/position of the smart monitors 132

The hardware for the smart monitors 132 is preferably of conventionaldesign for use on transportation vehicles. For example, smart monitorssold by Panasonic Avionics Corporation of Lake Forest, Calif., may beused. Smart monitors of other types and from other manufacturers may beused as well. The adaptive aspects disclosed herein are not limited toany particular smart monitor type. The smart monitors 132 as describedherein include software or program logic to perform as described inconnection with the flow charts shown in FIGS. 3-5. The smart monitors132 are configured with software or program logic to present mediaselections to passengers or users, corresponding to media files that arestored at the smart monitors 132 using one or more virtual local storage(VLS) media sets or subsets. In addition, the smart monitors 132 streamone or more files therefrom to another smart monitor via a requestcommunicated over a network.

Each smart monitor 132 can only hold a subset of the total media libraryof the vehicle. For example, as indicated in FIG. 1B, the smart monitors132 for passengers/users in row 23 are loaded with media subset A. Sincethese smart monitors are in the first row, these are smart monitors 132that mount to a seat arm 136. Media subset B is loaded into the smartmonitors 132 for the users/passengers in row 24. These are the smartmonitors 132 mounted to the back of the seats in row 23. The smartmonitors 132 for the users/passengers in row 25 are loaded with mediasubset C, and so on. In total, five media subsets A, B, C, D and E areillustrated in FIG. 1B as an illustrative non-limiting example. Themedia subsets A, B, C, D and E are part of a VLS set that is describedbelow in more detail.

As an example, the media files are initially loaded into the server 134or other server of the vehicle, using conventional techniques. Usually,this is performed by transferring the media from a portable or onboardmedia loader having the media stored thereon in non-volatile memory,such as an SSD, and copying the media onto the server 134 via a wiredEthernet connection through a media load port on the server. Wiredcompared to wireless connections currently provide the fastest loadingtimes. Alternatively, the media may be transferred via a wirelessconnection, such as a satellite connection, ground station-to-vehicle,BLUETOOTH, cellular, or Wi-Fi.

Media is thereafter distributed from the server to the cabin seatnetwork and loaded on to the smart monitors 132 in multiple, parallelmulticast streams using Internet Group Multicast Protocol (IGMP) to loadeach media subset to the smart monitors 132. Generally, each smartmonitor 132 in a row will have a different media subset. In analternative configuration, each media subset may be identical in eachsmart monitor 132 of a seat sub-network or LAN, i.e., all of the smartmonitors 132 for the seats in row 23 have media subset A. This is sothat the seat box 140 for the row 23 can load all of the same mediafiles to the smart monitors 132 connected thereto. Using multicaststreams minimizes the load time as multiple SMs take in the same (VLS)Media Subset. For a LINUX system, multiple Network Block Device channelsare formed that operate simultaneously to transfer the media files fromthe sever 134 to the smart monitors 132.

It is noteworthy that in one aspect, the media files load into ahead-end sever first, such as server 134 in FIG. 1A. A portable medialoader or onboard media loader in this aspect would incorporate aportable server for transferring media files to the head-end server 134,but would not typically remain with the vehicle after the media files orcontent has been transferred. The adaptive aspects of the presentdisclosure are not limited to first loading server 134 and then smartmonitors 132.

Returning to FIG. 1A, in one aspect, system 100 includes one or moreservers 134 for managing overall operations of the entertainment system.The server 134 is of conventional hardware design and commerciallyavailable, for example, from Panasonic Avionics Corporation of LakeForest, Calif. Servers from other manufactures may be used as well. FIG.1A illustrates an aspect having a single server 134, but other aspectsmay have multiple servers 134. The servers 134 preferably use the LINUXoperating system but other operating systems could be used as well, suchas WINDOWS (without derogation of any third-party trademark rights).When LINUX or ANDROID (for smart monitors 132) is used, a Network BlockDevice is used to make remote servers on the network appear as virtualdrives for devices, e.g., a smart monitor 132, searching for filesstored thereon.

The server 134 preferably includes at least one solid-state drive (SSD)(or any other type of storage media) and one or more high performanceprocessors to enable the server to communicate with the smart monitors132 and other devices of the transportation vehicle. An SSD enablesmedia files to be rapidly loaded or copied from various wired orwireless loaders onto the server 134. The media files are updatedperiodically on the server 134, usually monthly or weekly, as newercontent becomes available. Each server 134 is normally capable ofstoring between several terabytes of data in total, such as serversavailable from Panasonic Avionics Corporation of Lake Forest, Calif.,under the NEXT trademark. The various aspects disclosed herein are notlimited to any specific server storage capacity.

A network 136 connects the smart monitors 132 and server 134 incommunication with another. The network 136 is preferably a conventionallocal area network (LAN) using Ethernet for communication between thesmart monitors 132 and server 134. The network includes higher speedsub-networks 138 extending from the server 134 along the columns 104 and106. Preferably, the higher speed sub-networks 138 provide throughput ofat least gigabyte Ethernet using conventional 2.5GBase-T, 1000BASE-T,Copper-Gigabit wiring/cabling, or CAT5e. The higher speed sub-networks138 are referred to hereinafter as column sub-networks 138.

The column sub-networks 138 connect to seat boxes 140 that include aswitch. A lower speed data sub-network 142 may extend from each seat box140 and extends along the nearest row of seats thereto (seat rows 108,110, 112, 114,116,118, 120, or 122). The lower speed sub-networks 142may each provide at least 100 mbits/s of throughput via conventionalFast Ethernet connections using 100BASE-TX wiring. The lower speedsub-networks 142 form seat LANs or seat sub-networks of at least twosmart monitors 132, as opposed to the earlier described columnsub-networks 138. The various adaptive aspects described herein are notlimited to any particular network protocol or network operating speed.

In one aspect, the seat boxes 140 supply both network connections andpower to the smart monitors 132 connecting thereto. Each seat box 140includes a processor and memory, in which the processor executessoftware or program logic. The seat boxes may be of conventionalhardware and are frequently referred to in the in-flight entertainmentfield as Power-Network Boxes (PNBs) as the seat boxes 140 provide bothpower and network connections. Alternatively, the seat boxes 140 may bereferred to as Seat Interface Boxes (SIBs). If larger smart monitors areused, such as smart monitors sold under the trademarks of NEXT, ELITESERIES V2, and ALTUS by Panasonic Avionics Corporation, the seat boxes140 may provide network connections only, with power provided separatelyvia seat electrical boxes (SEBs) or seat power modules (SPMs). PowerNetwork Boxes, Seat Interface Boxes, Seat Electrical Boxes and SeatPower Modules are all available from Panasonic Avionics Corporation. Theterm seat box as used herein includes switches that provide both powerand network connections for the smart monitors 132 and switches thatprovide only network connections.

Optionally, the network 138 may include a redundant communicationconnection or connections 144 for use in the event of a communicationpath failure. In this regard, a pathway failure along either columnsub-network 138 would cut communications between the server 134 andsmart monitors 132 in that column 104 or 106 for seats 128 and 130downstream of the failure. Therefore, a redundant communicationconnection 144 may extend between the last seat box 140 in each column104 and 106 and the server 134. The redundant communication connection144 provides an alternative communication path in the event of a failurein a column sub-network 138 to prevent smart monitors 132 from being cutoff from communication with the server 134.

In one aspect, the redundant communication connections 144 provide fullcommunication redundancy and provide gigabyte Ethernet usingconventional 2.5GBase-T, 1000BASE-T or Copper-Gigabit wiring/cabling.For cost reduction, the redundant communication connections 144 may belower data rate connections and reserved only for public announcementsand map data from the server 134. In this regard, the entertainmentsystem 100 includes an interface or crew terminal 146 for use by vehiclepersonnel to control the entertainment system 100 and communicate publicannouncements to the smart monitors 132. Redundant communicationconnections 144 provide for an alternative way to broadcast publicannouncements to the smart monitors 132 in the event of a communicationfailure.

In one aspect, instead of wired connections, smart monitors 132 couldwirelessly connect over a network either directly with one another orindirectly via a wireless access point. The communication standard couldbe according to the 802 family (Wi-Fi), BLUETOOTH standard, or othercommunication standards. If a wireless access point is provided, itcould have local content storage and act as another source of mediafiles should a connectivity failure occur. Streaming could providedifferent quality of service depending on the source, for example, lowerspeed connections, such as a wireless connection, providing lowerquality of service.

Smart Monitor 132:

FIG. 2A shows a block diagram of a smart monitor 132 for using VLS,according to one aspect of the present disclosure. Smart monitor 132includes a display screen 202 to display content. Smart monitor 132includes one or more processors 204 with access to a memory 206.Processor 204 may be, or may include, one or more programmablegeneral-purpose or special-purpose microprocessors, digital signalprocessors (DSPs), programmable controllers, application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or thelike, or a combination of such devices. Memory 206 represents any formof random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, orthe like, or a combination of such devices.

Memory 206 includes executable instructions for managing the overalloperations of the smart monitor 206. In one aspect, processor 204executes an operating system based on ANDROID out of memory 206.However, other operating systems could be used, such as LINUX orproprietary operating systems available from Microsoft Corporation ofRedmond, Wash. or Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., which respectivelysell operating systems under the trademarks of WINDOWS and IOS (withoutderogation of any trademark rights).

In one aspect, program logic executed by processor 204 out of memory 206tracks a name of a media file that is accessed by a user, how often itis accessed during a flight/journey, a date and time the media file isaccessed and whether the passenger belongs to a premium class ornon-premium class. This information is stored in a data structure thatis provided to a media selector module 218, described below with respectto FIG. 2B.

Smart monitor 132 includes a smart monitor interface 212 that enablescommunication with other smart monitors. In one aspect, interface 212includes logic and circuit to support inter-smart monitor communication,i.e., communication from one smart monitor to another. The communicationmay use a wired network connection or wireless connection. The smartmonitor communication is not limited to any specific networkcommunication type, network protocol or operating speed.

When connected to a seat box 140, smart monitor 132 includes a seatelectronic box (SEB) interface 210 with logic and circuitry tocommunicate with seat box 140. The connection with seat box 140 may bewired or wireless.

The smart monitor 132 also includes a local storage device 208, e.g. anon-volatile memory device for storing media files, such as a memorycard according to the Secure Digital standard, i.e., an SD flash memorycard. In particular, ECO smart monitors currently available fromPanasonic Avionics Corporation (without derogation of any trademarkrights) have SD cards according to the eXtended-Capacity standard, i.e.,SDXC flash memory cards.

A media library having a plurality of media files is used to presentmedia content at the transportation vehicle. The number of media filesstored by the smart monitor 132 is based on the storage capacity of thestorage device 208 and the size of the media file (note: the media filesize depends on the movie resolution (e.g. 1080p vs. 4 k) and the typeof encoding). The number of media files in the media library is based onthe storage capacity of the storage device 208 and the number of AVODstreams a SM can provide to other SMs, referred to as the VLS factor(VLSF). The VLSF factor depends on the processing capability ofprocessor 204 and the available network bandwidth of the cabin seatnetwork 138. For example, the VSLF is affected by the number of streamsthat a smart monitor can stream to other smart monitors with acceptablequality, while playing a video stream with acceptable quality for thepassenger currently using the smart monitor and perform other functionsfor the passenger. In one aspect, the VLS media library size for thetransportation vehicle is based on: storage capacity of the smartmonitor*VLSF. For example, if the VLSF is 15 and the storage capacity is200 GB (gigabytes), then the total VLS capacity to store media files is15*200=3 TB (terabytes). If an average media file (for example, a movie)is 5 GB, then the VLS can only accommodate a total of 600 movies. Inthis model, any of the 600 movies can be watched by all passengers atthe same time (i.e. 100% AVOD coverage). The adaptive aspects of thepresent disclosure expand the media library size (i.e. the number ofdifferent media files) by categorizing media files into one of three (3)different AVOD coverage models, or categories (i.e. 100%, 50% and 25%AVOD coverage), as described below in detail.

VLS Configuration Tool 214:

In one aspect, computing technology is provided to configure VLS for thetransportation vehicle and expand media library size, providing moreoptions for more titles being available for passenger selection. Thecomputing technology maybe implemented as a processor executable VLSconfiguration tool 214 shown in FIG. 2B. The VLS configuration tool 214includes a VLS configuration module 216 and a media selector module (mayalso be referred to as “media selector”) 218. The media selector 218receives a plurality of inputs 220A-220N, based on which media files canbe assigned/re-assigned a particular category, as described below indetail with respect to FIG. 2C.

A VLS configuration tool 214 may be operated onboard a vehicle and alsooff board, such as at a media file processing center. Operation of theVLS configuration tool 214 off board the vehicle, i.e., as a groundtool, provides advantages in that usage data from all vehicles in afleet may be received and processed to determine the category to which amedia file is assigned, e.g., 100%, 50% or 25%. In general, usage datafor media from all vehicles in a fleet is more valuable than data froman individual vehicle. Hence, for a VLS configuration 214 used off boarda vehicle, the inputs 220A through 220N to the tool 214, come from eachvehicle in the fleet operated by the transportation carrier.

VLS Media Sets 222A-222D:

In one aspect, a media library on a transportation vehicle includes aplurality of media files, for example, movies, audio files and others.The product of the number of files and size of the files determines theoverall size of the VLS media library.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the media library size isincreased by grouping media files (for example, movies) into three (3)different categories or media tiers. The categories are indicative of alikelihood that a particular media file will be accessed more or lessfrequently by a certain number of passengers. In one aspect, media filesfor a transportation vehicle may be categorized into a plurality oftiers, X1, X2, X3, e.g. 100%, 50% and 25%. The 100% tier indicates thatany media file within this category is guaranteed to beviewable/playable by all onboard passengers at the same time.

The 50% tier indicates that any media file within this category isguaranteed to be viewable/playable by at least half of all onboardpassengers at the same time. The 25% tier indicates that any media filewithin this category is guaranteed to be viewable by at least a quarterof all onboard passengers at the same time. This media filecategorization or media tier concept, enables system 100 to increase theoverall media library size without having to increase the physicalstorage capacity of the smart monitors or upgrading the processorcapability of the smart monitors. It is noteworthy that the adaptiveaspects of the present disclosure are not limited to 100%, 50% and 25%categories, and instead other categories maybe used.

FIG. 2C shows an example of configuring the VLS media sets for storing amedia library on an aircraft. In one aspect, the VLS configurationmodule 218 creates four VLS media sets 222A-222D to store media filesbased on media availability categories defined in column 224. The amountof storage for each category is defined by a split ratio 226. Forexample, an airline may define that 50% of the total, physical storagecapacity should be used to store media files for the 100% category, 30%of the storage capacity should be used for storing media files for the50% category and 20% of the storage capacity should be used to storemedia files for the 25% category (i.e. split ratio=50/30/20). While thenumber of media tiers is fixed as well as the specific guaranteed AVODcoverage of each media tier, the split ratio is customizable fordifferent airlines.

In one aspect, in order to achieve the guaranteed AVOD coverage of 100%,50% and 25%, the VLS Configuration Tool 214 creates four (4) differentVLS Media Sets. The media files of the VLS Library are spread across thefour (4) VLS Media Sets based on the desired AVOD coverage for eachmedia file. Each VLS Media Set is divided into individual VLS MediaSubsets. The number of VLS Media Subsets is based on the chosen VLSF fora given aircraft configuration. Each VLS Media Subset is comprised ofmedia titles that belong to one of three media tiers. The VLSConfiguration Tool 214 assigns each smart monitor 132 a specific VLSMedia Subset. For example, in a three (3) media tier configuration, ifthe VLSF is twenty (20), then the distinct number of VLS Media Subsetsis four (4) times twenty (20), or eighty (80) VLS Media Subsets.

FIG. 2D shows an example of storing a VLS media library on an aircraft.In this example, the aircraft may have 240 seats and a VLSF factor oftwenty (20) is used to distribute the media files across a plurality ofsmart monitors. The example of FIG. 2D shows that eighty (80) seats arerequired in order to store all media files that comprise the VLS MediaLibrary. The first VLS Media Set 222A is distributed across the twenty(20) smart monitors of rows 1-5. The second VLS Media Set 222B is storedacross the twenty (20) smart monitors in rows 6-10. The third VLS MediaSet 222C is distributed across the twenty (20) smart monitors of rows11-15, while the fourth VLS Media Set 222D is stored across the twentysmart monitors in rows 16-20. If the aircraft has 240 seats, the entireVLS Media Library is replicated three (3) times as each of the fourmedia sets are replicated three (3) times.

Assume that a media file (for example, a movie title) is 20 GB and thephysical storage at a smart monitor is 100 GB. In a conventionalsetting, with a VLSF of twenty (20) only a hundred (100) movie titlescan be stored on the smart monitors. However, by using a split ratio of50/30/20, fifty (50) movies can be stored for the 100% category, sixty(60) movies for the 50% category and eighty (80) movies for the 25%category. Hence, the total number of movies for the media libraryincreases from 100 to 190. This effectively increases the VLS storage to3.8 TB in a three media tier configuration (100%/50%/25%) compared to 2TB in a single media tier configuration where any movie is available toall passengers at the same time (100% only category). If a split ratioof 30/30/40 is used, then thirty (30) movies are stored for the 100%category, sixty (60) movies are stored for the 50% category and 160movies are stored for the 25% category. This increases the number ofmovie titles from 100 to 250, and hence the VLS Media Library size forthis configuration is effectively five (5) TB with a total of 250 moviestitles.

It is noteworthy that the foregoing example is provided to illustratehow the media library size can be increased by categorizing the movietitles without changing the smart monitor storage capacity or processorcapabilities. The adaptive aspects disclosed herein are not limited toany specific split ratio or category type.

Process 300:

FIG. 3A shows a process flow 300 for configuring one or more VLS mediasets for a passenger transportation vehicle, according to one aspect ofthe present disclosure. The various process blocks of process 300 areexecuted by program logic of a computing device that executes the VLSconfiguration tool 214, described above with respect to FIG. 2B. Theexamples below are described with respect to an aircraft but are equallyapplicable to any type of transportation vehicle.

Process 300 begins in block B302, after a plurality of media tiers orguaranteed AVOD Coverage categories, C1/C2/C3 for storing media fileshave been determined. As an example, C1 may be 100%, C2 may be 50% andC3 may be 25% category, as described above. A split ratio, i.e.,S1/S2/S3 for the VLS is received from an entity that operates thetransportation vehicle, e.g., an airline for an aircraft. For example,S1/S2/S3 may be 50/30/20, i.e., 50% of the available physical storagecapacity of smart monitors is allocated to the 100% category, 30% of theavailable physical storage capacity of smart monitors is allocated tothe 50% category and 20% of the available physical storage capacity ofsmart monitors is allocated for the 25% category. The VLSF for thetransportation vehicle is also obtained. In one aspect, the VLSF dependson the smart monitor processor capabilities and a smart monitor'sability to stream media files to other smart monitors and the availablenetwork bandwidth.

Based on the foregoing, in block B304, a plurality of VLS media sets aregenerated. The number of VLS Media Sets to host the entire VLS MediaLibrary depends on the number of categories for storing media files. Forexample, to accommodate 100/50/25 percent categories, four VLS mediasets are required, as shown in FIG. 2C and described above. Each VLSmedia set 222A-222D is configured with a plurality of VLS media subsets(e.g., 230). An example of the VLS media subsets is also shown in FIG.2C. The number of VLS media subset is a function of the VLSF. Forexample, if the VLSF is twenty (20), then each of the four VLS mediasets is configured with twenty (20) VLS media subsets.

A VLS Media Subset is assigned to one or more smart monitors in blockB308. In block B310, each VLS Media Subset is comprised of the mediafiles from the different categories and stored on the smart monitors.For example, in order to achieve the required guaranteed AVOD coverage,a media file that is identified to belong to the 100% category ispresent in each of the four (4) VLS media set. A media file in the 50%category is stored in two (2) out of the four (4) VLS media sets, whilea media file in the 25% category is stored in just one (1) of the four(4) VLS media sets. This enables the system to expand the overall VLSmedia library size without increasing the storage capacity at the smartmonitors or the processor ability by storing a greater number of mediafiles that have various levels of guaranteed AVOD coverage, compared toa system where every media file is available to all the passengers atthe same time. Thereafter, in block B312, the VLS media sets areinitialized and the media library is ready for use by the passengers.

Process 314:

FIG. 3B shows a process 314 for modifying a category of media files of amedia library of an IFE system, according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure. The process blocks of FIG. 3B are executed by the mediaselector module 218 that maybe executed by a computing device. In oneaspect, when a media file is initially uploaded to a smart monitor, itmay be placed in the “100%” category, i.e., it is made available forviewing by 100% of the passengers simultaneously. However, it may benecessary to promote or demote media files from one to another category.When promoting media files, the system has to push the specific file tomore smart monitors in order to meet the required AVOD coveragepercentile for the specific category. When demoting a title, the systemneeds to remove some of the copies in the cabin smart monitor network asthe required AVOD coverage for the specific filed decreased.

Process 314 begins in block B316 when media files have been stored usingthe VLS media sets described above. In block B318, the media selector218 receives a plurality of inputs 220A-220N [(see FIG. 2B). Forexample, the plurality of inputs may include data from an aircraftidentifying how often a specific media file was accessed simultaneouslyand viewed in parallel by airline passengers, whether the passengerswere in premium or economy class, airline preference, route information,aircraft type and configuration, flight time and season, third partymedia title ratings (for example, Rotten Tomato or IMDB ratings (withoutderogation of any third party trademark rights) and current categoryassigned to the media files.

In block B320, the media selector 218 executing instructions identifiesany media file that needs to be re-categorized. In one aspect, the mediaselector 218 assigns a weight to each input 220A-220N and determines ascore for each media file. The weighted score is compared to a thresholdvalue to identify that a media file needs to be re-categorized. In blockB322, the category for the media file is updated and the media file isre-located to a different media category/tier in block B324 using thefour (4) VLS media sets described above.

Process 326:

FIG. 3C shows another process 326 for a transportation vehicle,according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The process begins inblock B328, when the airline identifies the split ratio of the three (3)media tiers to be used in conjunction with the four (4) VLS Media Sets,for example, 50/30/20. The media availability category has beendetermined, for example, 100%, 50% and 25%. In one aspect, the processblocks of FIG. 3C are executed by the VLS configuration tool 214.

In block B330, a plurality of media sets (e.g. 222A-222D, FIG. 2C) aregenerated to store the media files of a media library. Each media fileis assigned to a category, based on the preference in regards to thepercentile of passengers that are guaranteed to be able to access themedia file simultaneously. If a passenger attempts to access a mediafile in a category other than 100%, and the number of passengers thatare simultaneously trying to access a specific title exceeds theguaranteed AVOD coverage value, then a message may be displayedinforming the passenger that the title is currently unavailable and totry again later. Moreover, this may be used as a trigger for promotionof media file to a tier having a greater percentage of availability.Alternatively, the passenger may be given the option to receive anotification when the media file becomes available.

In block B332, the media files are stored across smart monitors. Eachmedia set has a certain number of media subsets (e.g. 230, FIG. 2C)based on a VLSF. An example of storing the various media sets is shownin FIG. 2D and described above.

In block B334, access to the various media files is monitored. Theaccess may be monitored by program logic of each smart monitor andprovided to the server 134. The access pattern is then provided to themedia selector 218. A media file category is modified by the mediaselector module 218 based on a plurality of factors, e.g., dataidentifying how often a media file was accessed by users, whether theusers were in premium class or economy; the duration of a journey, routeinformation, transportation vehicle type and configuration, season whena journey is taking place, third party ratings for the media files (forexample, Rotten Tomato and/or IMDB ratings (without derogation of anythird party trademark rights), current category assignment of each mediafile, and/or the number of requests for access to a media file thatcould not be immediately fulfilled due to too many passengers accessingthe media file.

It is noteworthy that the media selector 218 executes a machine learningprocess based on which the media file category is updated. This may beimplemented as a neural network. Alternatively, other methods may beused to update media file categories.

Process 338:

FIG. 3D shows a process 338, according to yet another aspect of thepresent disclosure. Process 338 begins in block B340, when a split ratiofrom an airline or aircraft has been received, for example, 50/30/20.The media availability category has been determined, for example, 100%,50% and 25%. In one aspect, the process blocks of FIG. 3C are executedby the VLS configuration tool 214.

In block B342, the media files of a media library of an IFE system areassigned a specific category, for example, 100%/50%/30%. The overallstorage space for the media files at the smart monitors is based on thesplit ratio provided by an airline, for example, 50/30/20, as shown inFIG. 2C and described above.

In block B344, a plurality of media sets having a plurality of mediasubsets are used to store the media files on the smart monitors. Anexample of this is shown in FIG. 2D, described above in detail.Thereafter, in block B346, access to media files is monitored. A mediafile category is modified by the media selector module 218 based on aplurality of factors, e.g. data identifying how often a media file wasaccessed by users, whether the users were in premium class or economy;the duration of a flight, flight route information, aircraft type andconfiguration, season when a taking place, third party ratings for themedia files (for example, Rotten Tomato and/or IMDB ratings (withoutderogation of any third party trademark rights) and current categoryassignment of each media file.

In one aspect methods and systems for a vehicle entertainment system areprovided. One method includes generating by a processor, a plurality ofmedia sets of a media library for storing a plurality of media files ata transportation vehicle, each of the plurality of media sets configuredto store a first set of media files that can be played by all passengersat the same time, a second set of media files can be played by up to Xpercentage of the passengers at the same time, and a third set of mediafiles that can be played by Y percentage of the passengers at the sametime; distributing by the processor, the plurality of media files forstorage across a plurality of smart monitors of the transportationvehicle; monitoring user access of the plurality of media files on thetransportation vehicle; and modifying by the processor, an assignment ofa media file between the first set, the second set and the third setbased on a plurality of factors.

In another aspect, a method for an aircraft is provided. The methodincludes assigning by a processor, a first portion of a media libraryhaving a plurality of media files for an inflight entertainment systemof an aircraft to a first set of media files in which each media file ofthe first set can be played at the same by all passengers of thetransportation vehicle, and a second portion to a second set of mediafiles in which each media file of the second set can be played at thesame time by up to X percentage of the passengers; and storing by theprocessor, the plurality of media files for storage across a pluralityof smart monitors of the aircraft using the media sets. The plurality ofmedia files are streamed from the plurality of smart monitors inresponse to user requests. The method further includes monitoring accessto the plurality of media files based on user requests; and modifying bythe processor, an assignment of a media file between the first set andthe second set based on a plurality of factors including at least two ofan access pattern of the media file, aircraft route information, airlinepreference, aircraft type and configuration, a third party rating of themedia file, time of the year and an airline preference.

Process 400:

FIG. 4 shows a process 400 for streaming media from smart monitors usingthe configured VLS media sets, according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure. As mentioned above, each smart monitor 132 includes softwareor program logic to display media selections as indicated in process boxB402 of the flow chart. In this state, the program logic waits for aninput from a user or passenger to choose one of the media selections asindicated in decision box B404. The logic initially checks in decisionblock B406 to determine if a media file corresponding to the selectionis available from a first source. The sources include local contentstorage of the smart monitor 132 or another smart monitor 132 or an AVODcapable streamer server on the head-end server.

In one aspect, the first source is the media file stored locally in thesmart monitor's 132 non-volatile memory, i.e., local content storagesuch as a memory card. If so, the logic plays the media file from thefirst source, i.e., from local content storage as shown in process blockB408 of the example program logic illustrated in FIG. 4. Playing mediafrom local content storage has the advantage of minimizing networktraffic and generally does not require buffering of the stream. Accessto the media file is noted by the program logic of the smart monitor.This information is provided to the media selector 218 as an input.

If a media file corresponding to the media file selection is notavailable from the first source, i.e., in local content storage for thisaspect, the program logic proceeds to decision block B410. The programlogic in decision block B410 determines whether a media filecorresponding to the selection is available from an alternative source.In this aspect, the alternative source is another smart monitor 132accessible via the cabin network. That is, if a media file correspondingto the selection from the user/passenger is not available in localcontent storage, the smart monitor program logic searches or looks forthe media on other smart monitors 132. If the media file is availablefrom another smart monitor, the media file is streamed therefrom andplayed as indicated in process block B412. This information is providedto the media selector 218 as an input.

The search for a content providing resource is cabin wide and includesall smart monitors. Smart search algorithms may be employed to reducethe network traffic when looking for a content providing resource, suchas another smart monitor that is close to requesting smart monitor. Ifthe file is not available, an unavailable indication is provided to theuser or passenger, such as by displaying a message as indicated byprocess block B418. Thereafter, the logic returns to displaying mediaselections in process block B402 to wait for another input, or differentpassenger selection.

Once streaming has begun from one smart monitor 132 to another, thesmart monitor 132 receiving the stream includes program logic thatmonitors for acceptable packet loss. If the packet loss is determined tobe in excess of an acceptable level, the program logic requests themedia from another source, i.e., a different smart monitor 132.

The preference for whether a source is first, second, or later inpriority for where a smart monitor looks for a media file may be readfrom a configuration file. The default configuration is for the smartmonitor (SM) to first look for content in local storage, then topossibly source it from other SMs within the cabin (network) and lastfrom an AVOD server on the head-end. The configuration information maybe data pre-stored in the smart monitors 132 upon installation in thevehicle 102, a file downloaded from the server 134, or a simple messagebroadcast along the network 138.

Process 500:

FIG. 5 illustrates the program logic on each smart monitor for operatinga local media server to execute a process indicated generally byreference numeral 500. In process block B502, the program logic waits orlistens for a request to stream a media file over the network 136. If nostream request is received or detected in decision block B504, the logiccontinues monitoring for a stream request in process block B502.

In some aspects of the system 100 it may be desired to limit streamingfrom one smart monitor 132 to another, to only on the same columnsub-network 138 if the network topology includes column sub-networks. Ifso, the logic proceeds to an optional decision block B506 thatdetermines if the stream request is from a smart monitor 132 on the samecolumn sub-network 138 as the smart monitor 132 that received therequest. If it is not, the logic ignores the request as indicated inprocess block B510 and the logic returns to waiting or listening for astream request in the initial process block B502. However, thedisclosure is not limited to any specific network topology and othertypes by used, such as star or ring, by way of non-limiting illustrativeexamples.

If streaming is permitted from a smart monitor 132 on one columnsub-network 138 to a smart monitor 138 on another column sub-network138, this optional decision block B506 is not necessary. In thissituation, or if the request is from a smart monitor 132 on the samecolumn sub-network 138 in the case of the optional decision block B506,the logic inquires whether the maximum quantity of streams is beingserved in decision block B510.

If the maximum quantity of streams is being served, the request isdeclined or ignored as indicated in process block B512. Otherwise themedia file corresponding to the request is streamed as indicated inprocess block B514. After accepting the request and streaming the mediaor declining the request, the logic returns to its default state inprocess block B502 of monitoring for a stream request. In addition, forsome aspects, the logic may prioritize requests from smart monitors 132in premium class seating. For example, the logic may accept up to oneless than the maximum quantity of streams possible to serve, except forrequests from smart monitors 132 in premium class. In this way, areserve would be established for users or passengers in premium classfor popular media files.

The 100% category or tier is for media files in which each media file inthis category/tier is playable by all passengers at the same time. Thatis, the media file is stored in local memory of a sufficient quantity ofsmart monitors 132 that all of the passengers aboard the vehicle couldselect the same media file in that category and play it with suitablequality. However, with the exception of safety videos, it is rare forany media file to be played by all passengers at the same time. Hence, asystem with media files for entertainment may be provided with no mediafiles in the 100% category.

For example, categories of 50% and 25% may be provided. In this system,media files in the 50% category are stored in local content of asufficient quantity of smart monitors to only enable a media file inthis category to be viewed by up to one half of the passengers at thesame time. A media file in the 25% category may be viewed by only onefourth of the passengers at the same time. Providing categories of only50% and 25% may be satisfactory in some situations and enables expansionof the media library further.

The present disclosure therefore includes a system for providingentertainment on a vehicle for passengers. The system includes smartmonitors disposed in the vehicle with each smart monitor including localcontent storage storing media files in which each smart monitors isconfigured to present media selections to passengers corresponding tothe media files stored collectively by all the smart monitors. Thesystem includes a network connecting the smart monitors and programlogic executed by each smart monitor.

The program logic, after a smart monitor receives an input from apassenger for one of the selections, performs tasks includingdetermining if a media file corresponding to the passenger's input isavailable from local content storage of the smart monitor, and ifavailable, playing the media file from the local content storage of thesmart monitor. If the media file corresponding to the passenger's inputis not available from the local content storage of the smart monitor,determining if a media file corresponding to the input is available fromanother smart monitor and if available, playing the media file from theanother smart monitor. In this system, media files predicted to beselected less frequently by the passengers, are stored in local contentstorage of a fewer quantity of the smart monitors than the other mediafiles. Alternatively stated, media files predicted to be selected morefrequently, appear with greater frequency among the media filesdistributed across the smart monitors in the vehicle cabin, i.e., agreater quantity of the smart monitors include in local content storagethereof media files predicted to be selected with greater frequencyrelative to other media files.

Processing System:

FIG. 6 is a high-level block diagram showing an example of thearchitecture of a processing system 600 that may be used according toone aspect. The processing system 600 can represent server 134 or acomputing device executing VLS configuration tool 214. Note that certainstandard and well-known components which are not germane to the presentaspects are not shown in FIG. 6.

The processing system 600 includes one or more processor(s) 602 andmemory 604, coupled to a bus system 605. The bus system 605 shown inFIG. 6 is an abstraction that represents any one or more separatephysical buses and/or point-to-point connections, connected byappropriate bridges, adapters and/or controllers. The bus system 605,therefore, may include, for example, a system bus, a PeripheralComponent Interconnect (PCI) bus, a HyperTransport or industry standardarchitecture (ISA) bus, a small computer system interface (SCSI) bus, auniversal serial bus (USB), or an Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE) standard 1394 bus (sometimes referred to as“Firewire”) or any other interconnect type.

The processor(s) 602 are the central processing units (CPUs) of theprocessing system 600 and, thus, control its overall operation. Incertain aspects, the processors 602 accomplish this by executingsoftware instructions stored in memory 604. A processor 602 may be, ormay include, one or more programmable general-purpose or special-purposemicroprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), programmablecontrollers, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs),programmable logic devices (PLDs), or the like, or a combination of suchdevices.

Memory 604 represents any form of random access memory (RAM), read-onlymemory (ROM), flash memory, or the like, or a combination of suchdevices. Memory 604 includes the main memory of the processing system600. Instructions 606 may be used to implement the process steps ofFIGS. 3-5 described above.

Also connected to the processors 602 through the bus system 605 are oneor more internal mass storage devices 610, and a network interface 612.Internal mass storage devices 610 may be, or may include anyconventional medium for storing large volumes of data in a non-volatilemanner, such as one or more magnetic, optical, or semiconductor baseddisks.

The network interface 612 provides the processing system 600 with theability to communicate with remote devices (e.g., over a network) andmay be, for example, an Ethernet adapter or the like.

The processing system 600 also includes one or more input/output (I/O)devices 608 coupled to the bus system 606. The I/O devices 608 mayinclude, for example, a display device, a keyboard, a mouse, etc.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a content distribution system 704 for avehicle 700 for commercial mass passenger transport, such as anaircraft, ship, train, bus, ferry other vehicle. The contentdistribution system 704 couples, and supports communication between acontent server system 711, and a plurality of smart monitors 132. Thecontent server system 711 may be referred to simply as a content server.

The content distribution system 704, for example, can be provided as aconventional wired and/or wireless communication network, as previouslydescribed. The distribution system 704 can be provided as a plurality ofarea distribution boxes (ADBs) 706, a plurality of floor disconnectboxes (FDBs) 708, and a plurality of seat boxes (SEBs) 140 as describedearlier, and configured to communicate in real time via a plurality ofwired and/or wireless communication connections 712. The distributionsystem 704 includes a switching system 702 for providing an interfacebetween the distribution system 704 and the server system 711. Theswitching system 702 can comprise a conventional switching system, suchas an Ethernet switching system, and is configured to couple the serversystem 711 with the area distribution boxes 706. Each of the areadistribution boxes 706 is coupled with, and communicates with, theswitching system 702. The switching system 702 is frequently referred toas a network controller. On some vehicles, for example, narrow bodyaircraft, the switching system 702 may integrate the content serversystem 711, which is typically referred to as an integrated serversystem, or simply integrated server.

Each of the area distribution boxes 702, is coupled with, andcommunicates with, at least one floor disconnect box 708. Although thearea distribution boxes 706 and the associated floor disconnect boxes708 can be coupled in any conventional configuration, the associatedfloor disconnect boxes 708 preferably are disposed in a star networktopology about a central area distribution box 706. Each floordisconnect box 708 is coupled with, and services, a plurality ofdaisy-chains of seat boxes 140. The seat electronics boxes 140, in turn,are configured to communicate with the smart monitors 132. Each seat box140 can support one or more of the smart monitors 132.

The distribution system 704 can include at least one FDB internal portbypass connection 714 and/or at least one SEB loopback connection 716.Each FDB internal port bypass connection 714 is a communicationconnection 712 that permits floor disconnect boxes 708 associated withdifferent area distribution boxes 706 to directly communicate. Each SEBloopback connection 716 is a communication connection 712 that directlycouples the last seat electronics box 140 in each daisy-chain of seatelectronics boxes 140 for a selected floor disconnect box 708. Each SEBloopback connection 716 therefore forms a loopback path among thedaisy-chained seat boxes 140 coupled with the relevant floor disconnectbox 708.

The content distribution system 704 includes an antenna system 710 andtransceiver system 707 for communication with a source external to thevehicle, for example, a ground station or satellite, for providing anInternet connection. The switching system 702, the area distributionboxes 706, the floor disconnect boxes 708, the seat boxes 140, theantenna system 710, the transceiver system 707, the server system 712,and other system resources are provided as line replaceable units,hereinafter referred to as “LRUs.” The use of LRUs facilitatemaintenance of the vehicle information system because a defective LRUcan simply be removed and replaced with a new (or different) LRU. Thedefective LRU thereafter can be repaired for subsequent installation.Advantageously, the use of LRUs can promote flexibility in configuringthe content distribution system 704 by permitting ready modification ofthe number, arrangement, and/or configuration of the system resources ofthe content distribution system 704. The content distribution system 704likewise can be readily upgraded by replacing any obsolete LRUs with newLRUs.

In the content distribution system 704, the smart monitors 132 havecontent (media files) stored thereon as previously described in localcontent storage thereof. In particular, the system 704 includes smartmonitors 132 disposed in the vehicle with each smart monitor includinglocal content storage storing media files in which each smart monitorsis configured to present media selections to passengers corresponding tothe media files stored collectively together by the smart monitors. Thesystem 704 includes a network connecting the smart monitors 132 incommunication and program logic executed by each smart monitor.

The program logic, after a smart monitor receives an input from apassenger for one of the selections, performs tasks includingdetermining if a media file corresponding to the passenger's input isavailable from local content storage of the smart monitor, and ifavailable, playing the media file from the local content storage of thesmart monitor 132. If the media file corresponding to the passenger'sinput is not available from the local content storage of the smartmonitor, the logic determines if a media file corresponding to theselection is available from another smart monitor and if available,playing the media file from the another smart monitor.

In system 100, when selecting another smart monitor 132 from which tostream the media file, the logic selects first another smart monitorconnected to the same column, either 104 or 106 (see FIG. 1A). In system704 (see FIG. 7), the logic selects first another smart monitorconnecting to the same floor distribution box 708, and if not availablenext a monitor connecting to the same ADB 706. In a system havingmultiple switching systems 702, the next preference is a smart monitorthat is in communication with the same switching system. If there aremultiple choices available meeting the foregoing criteria, the smartmonitor 132 selected is the one having the least number of activeclients. This minimizes the distance travelled for network traffic whileminimizing stress on smart monitors. In a situation where a media filecannot be located on another smart monitor or there is no response to arequest for the media file, the logic requests the media filed from theserver system 711, sometimes referred to as a headend server.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart of the logic 800 for the foregoingselection process. After initiation, the logic 800 waits for an inputfrom a passenger for a content selection in block 802. If an input isreceived for a content selection, the logic 800 determines in block 804if a media file corresponding to the selection is available locally,i.e., in local content storage of that smart monitor 132. If yes, thelogic 800 plays the content from local storage in block 806. Thereafter,the logic returns to block 802 to wait for another input for a contentselection.

If a media file corresponding to the selected content is not availablelocally, the logic determines in block 808 if a media file correspondingto the selected content is available from other smart monitors 132.Preference is given first to smart monitors on the same column 104 or106 (see FIG. 1), then to those connected to the same floor distributionbox 708, then to those connected on the same area distribution box 706(see FIG. 7), and if there are multiple switching systems 702, to thoseon the same switching system. If yes, the logic 800 requests streamingof the media file from the smart monitor 132 having the least number ofactive clients in block 810, and plays/renders the stream. Thereafter,the logic returns to block 802 to wait for another input correspondingto a content selection.

If there is no response to a request to stream a media file, and thesystem includes a headend server, the logic determines if the media fileis available from the headend server. If yes, the logic 800 requestsstreaming of the streaming media file from the headend server in block814 and plays/renders the stream. Thereafter, the logic 800 returns toblock 802 to wait for another request corresponding to a contentselection request.

If the logic determines that a media file corresponding to the inputcontent selection request is not available from any other smart monitor132, i.e., a media file is not stored on any smart monitor or the smartmonitors having the media file stored thereon are each serving themaximum number of allowed clients and the media file is not availablefrom a headend server, the logic proceeds to block 820. In block 820,the logic displays a message indicating the requested content iscurrently unavailable. It may also offer an option to receive anotification when the content becomes unavailable. Thereafter, the logic800 returns to block 802 to wait for another input corresponding to acontent selection request.

Innovative technology for a vehicular entertainment system has beendescribed in the foregoing paragraphs. Note that references throughoutthis specification to “one aspect” (or “embodiment”) or “an aspect” meanthat a particular feature, structure or characteristic described inconnection with the aspect is included in at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure. Therefore, it is emphasized and should beappreciated that two or more references to “an aspect” or “one aspect”or “an alternative aspect” in various portions of this specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same aspect. Furthermore, theparticular features, structures or characteristics being referred to maybe combined as suitable in one or more aspects of the disclosure, aswill be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

While the present disclosure is described above with respect to what iscurrently considered its preferred aspects, it is to be understood thatthe disclosure is not limited to that described above. To the contrary,the disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalentarrangements within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: storing a plurality of mediafiles for an inflight entertainment system of an aircraft across aplurality of seat devices of the aircraft using at least a first set anda second set, each of the first set and the second set having aplurality of media subsets that include one or more media files, where anumber of media subsets for the first set and the second set is based oneach seat device's processing ability to stream data to another seatdevice and network bandwidth available to each seat device for streamingmedia files; wherein media files in the first set are playablesimultaneously by a greater number of passengers than media files of thesecond set; monitoring access to the plurality of media files streamedin response to user requests for media files; and modifying anassignment of a media file between the first set and the second setbased on comparison of a weighted score of the media file to a thresholdvalue, the weighted score using a plurality of factors including a useraccess pattern for the media file determined from the monitoring and athird party rating of the media file; wherein prior to modifying, themedia file is initially assigned to the first set.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein media files of the first set are simultaneouslyplayable by all passengers and media files of the second set aresimultaneously playable by a number of passengers fewer than all thepassengers.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein based on airlinepreference, an amount of storage space of the plurality of seat devicesis configured to store the first set and the second set of media files.4. The method of claim 1, wherein usage data for the plurality of mediafiles on a plurality of aircrafts is provided to a ground tool formodifying the assignment of the media file.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the plurality of factors include one or more of aircraft routeinformation, airline preference and time of the year.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of factors include aircraft type andaircraft configuration.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the media fileis assigned to either the first set or the second set based on alikelihood of being accessed at a same time by a certain number ofpassengers.
 8. A non-transitory machine readable medium having storedthereon instructions comprising machine executable code which whenexecuted by one or more machine, causes the one or more machine to:store a plurality of media files for an inflight entertainment system ofan aircraft across a plurality of seat devices of the aircraft using atleast a first set and a second set, each of the first set and the secondset having a plurality of media subsets that include one or more mediafiles, where a number of media subsets for the first set and the secondset is based on each seat device's processing ability to stream data toanother seat device and network bandwidth available to each seat devicefor streaming media files; wherein media files in the first set areplayable simultaneously by a greater number of passengers than mediafiles of the second set; monitor access to the plurality of media filesstreamed in response to user requests for media files; and modify anassignment of a media file between the first set and the second setbased on comparison of a weighted score of the media file to a thresholdvalue, the weighted score using a plurality of factors including a useraccess pattern for the media file determined from the monitoring and athird party rating of the media file; wherein prior to modifying, themedia file is initially assigned to the first set.
 9. The non-transitorymachine readable medium of claim 8, wherein media files of the first setare simultaneously playable by all passengers and media files of thesecond set are simultaneously playable by a number of passengers fewerthan all the passengers.
 10. The non-transitory machine readable mediumof claim 8, wherein based on airline preference, an amount of storagespace of the plurality of seat devices is configured to store the firstset and the second set of media files.
 11. The non-transitory machinereadable medium of claim 8, wherein usage data for the plurality ofmedia files on a plurality of aircrafts is provided to a ground tool formodifying the assignment of the media file.
 12. The non-transitorymachine readable medium of claim 8, wherein the plurality of factorsinclude one or more of aircraft route information, airline preferenceand time of the year.
 13. The non-transitory machine readable medium ofclaim 8, wherein the plurality of factors include aircraft type andaircraft configuration.
 14. The non-transitory machine readable mediumof claim 8, wherein the media file is assigned to either the first setor the second set based on a likelihood of being accessed at a same timeby a certain number of passengers.
 15. A method comprising: storing aplurality of media files across a plurality of devices of atransportation vehicle using at least a first set and a second set, eachof the first set and the second set having a plurality of media subsetsthat include one or more media files, where a number of media subsetsfor the first set and the second set is based on each seat device'sprocessing ability to stream data to another seat device and networkbandwidth available to each seat device for streaming media files;wherein media files in the first set are playable simultaneously by agreater number of passengers than media files of the second set;monitoring access to the plurality of media files streamed in responseto user requests for media files; and modifying an assignment of a mediafile between the first set and the second set based on comparison of aweighted score of the media file to a threshold value, the weightedscore using a plurality of factors including a user access pattern forthe media file determined from the monitoring and a third party ratingof the media file; wherein prior to modifying, the media file isinitially assigned to the first set.
 16. The method of claim 15, whereinmedia files of the first set are simultaneously playable by allpassengers and media files of the second set are simultaneously playableby a number of passengers fewer than all the passengers.
 17. The methodof claim 15, wherein based on a transportation vehicle providerpreference, an amount of storage space of the plurality of seat devicesis configured to store the first set and the second set of media files.18. The method of claim 15, wherein usage data for the plurality ofmedia files on a plurality of a transportation vehicles is provided to acomputing device for modifying the assignment of the media file.
 19. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the plurality of factors includetransportation vehicle type and configuration.
 20. The method of claim15, wherein the media file is assigned to either the first set or thesecond set based on a likelihood of being accessed at a same time by acertain number of passengers.